Controversial social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, alias Blessing CEO, has been arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
The defendant was charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira).
At the commencement of proceedings, the defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded part of the money to the nominal complainant.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million.
“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” he said.
Responding, the counsel to the prosecution, Suleiman Suleiman, stated that the prosecution was not privy to any discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant.
“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the defendant take her plea, as that is the business of the day,” the prosecution counsel said.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that “the defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court.The defendant will take her plea.”
One of the counts reads: “That you, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira) from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Another count reads: “That you, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira), property of Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
She pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.
Following her plea, Suleiman requested for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant counsel however, informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charge on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application.
He sought that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
The court granted the application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
